From Observations to Impact: The 1st Decade of IMOS
The Earth is a “blue planet” with over 70% of its surface covered by ocean. Australia is a “marine nation” with the third largest ocean territory on Earth. The ocean is a natural resource that has delivered massive economic, social and environmental benefits to generations of Australians.
We need research infrastructure to enable systematic and sustained observation of our marine environment at national scale. This is necessary if we are to understand the marine environment sufficiently well to be able to manage it sustainably for the benefit of future generations.
The 1st decade of IMOS
- In 2006-7 the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) provided the opportunity to create, for the first time ever, a single, national Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS). A collaboration of highly capable organisations, deploying sophisticated platforms and sensors into the marine environment, and making all of the resultant data openly accessible for research and other purposes.
- 2015-16 marks the tenth year of IMOS, and we have published a new document titled “From Observations to Impact” which celebrates the first decade. It provides an introduction, a brief history, an explanation of the need for IMOS, and a description of the national capability that has been created. However the bulk of the document is about impact, described from the perspectives of places, and partnerships.
The places that IMOS has impact range from the high tropics to Antarctica, east coast and west, from harbours to the deep ocean. The partnerships that create impact come through working with industry and working with universities undertaking research training, through international collaboration to study a globally connected ocean, through working with centres of excellence in marine science and working with the major marine research programs addressing national priorities.
We hope that you enjoy reading this document and share in our passion for high quality marine science with real world impact.
Acknowledging IMOS
Users of IMOS data are required to clearly acknowledge the source material by including the following statement:
Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) is enabled by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). It is operated by a consortium of institutions as an unincorporated joint venture, with the University of Tasmania as Lead Agent.